​WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was not planning to suspend Alyssa Thomas for burying a fist into Caitlin Clark’s throat three weeks ago until NBA Commissioner Adam Silver implored her to reverse course and issue the discipline, multiple sources told SBJ Tuesday. Engelbert subsequently suspended Thomas for one game and ordered a Flagrant 2 penalty that carried a $1,000 fine. But sources believe the fact Silver needed to persuade Engelbert is another sign Engelbert is likely in her final season as commissioner. League insiders had previously told SBJ that Engelbert would probably be forced from her job sometime following this spring’s collective bargaining negotiations. But after Engelbert oversaw a historic CBA deal in March, she appeared to earn a reprieve.Sports Business Journal